Notre Dame cited for safety violations in student death

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Department of Labor has cited the University of Notre Dame for safety violations in the wake of the death of student-employee Declan Sullivan last October.

Sullivan died after strong winds toppled a scissor-lift he was standing on while videotaping a Notre Dame football practice on October 27. He was 20 years old.

"We've issued a knowing citation, which indicates the most serious safety violation," said Department of Labor Commissioner Lori Torres during a morning news briefing at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. "The evidence overwhelmingly demonstrated that the university made a decision to utilize its scissor lifts in known adverse weather conditions."

The agency also cited Notre Dame with five other serious safety violations, including failure to properly train the student employees in how to operate a scissor lift. In all, fines amounting to $77,500 were levied against the university.

Winds were gusting at around 50 miles per hour when the lift Sullivan was using fell.